Joshua Stafford

The meticulous technique, innate yet highly mature musicality, and constant musical engagement
exhibited by Joshua Stafford compelled the jury of the 2016 Longwood Gardens International
Organ Competition to name him, out of 12 stellar competitors, the Pierre S. du Pont First Prize
Winner of this illustrious event, earning him a cash award of $40,000.

Already in demand as a recitalist, improviser, and choral accompanist, Joshua has performed at
many notable venues, including the Wanamaker Organ in Philadelphia, the National Shrine of
the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C., Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center, Ocean Grove
Auditorium in New Jersey, the Chautauqua Institution in New York, and Spivey Hall in Georgia.

His recital at the 2015 Conference of the Association of Anglican Musicians was hailed as
“technically flawless yet exceptionally nuanced and spontaneous.” Joshua has appeared with the
Curtis Symphony Orchestra and National Symphony Orchestra, and recordings of his
performances have been aired on MPR’s Pipedreams and WRTI’s Wanamaker Organ Hour.

A native of Jamestown, New York, Mr. Stafford received the bachelor of Music Degree from the
Curtis Institute of Music in 2010 as a scholarship student of Alan Morrison. In 2012 he received
his Master of Music degree from the Yale School of Music as a student of Thomas Murray
(organ performance) and Jeffrey Brillhart (organ improvisation). Joshua was the recipient of both
a full-tuition scholarship and the Robert Baker Award, given to a first year organ student who
exhibits exceptional promise and achievement in their field of study.

Joshua Stafford is the Director of Music at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Morristown, New
Jersey, where he conducts an RSCM-based program with choirs of boys, girls, and adults. The
chorister program is paired with an after-school outreach program for the city’s underserved
children, offering excellent music education at no cost.